Introduction – Hydrocephalus can affect humans even before birth. Many causes have been identified and it has been classified accordingly. Treatment involves shunt surgery, which is plagued by complications such as shunt malfunction and infections. Of late endoscopic third ventriculostomy has come into vogue.The success rate of ETV in infants varies from series to series. This study compares the outcomes of Shunt surgery versus ETV in the age group of 6 to 12 months.

Materials and methods– This was a prospective study carried out at Dr. B.R.A.M. Hospital, Raipur from March 2015 to September 2016.It comprised of 112 cases of children in the age group of 6 months to 1 year having hydrocephalus. They were treated with either shunt or ETV surgery. Results and complications of each of two modalities were compared. They were followed up after surgery upto their discharge & at one month after that.

Results– Of 112 patients, 57 underwent ETV surgery & 55 underwent VP shunt surgery. The incidence of infective complications in ETV was found to be 8% while it was 26% in cases of VP shunts, which was significantly higher. Malfunctioning of VP shunt was seen in 5 patients(9.1%) before discharge & in 9 patients(16.4%) at one month follow up i.e. total 14 patients out of 55(25.4%) showed sign/symptoms of shunt malfunction. Total 57 patients underwent ETV for management of hydrocephalus, out of which 5 patients(8.8%),before discharge& 6 patients(10.5%) at one month follow up show sign/symptoms of ETV failure i.e. total 11patients (19.29%). Difference was statistically significant. ETV was found to be significantly better in case of obstructive type of hydrocephalus, especially aqueductal stenosis (p=0.020).

Conclusion –In the age group of 6 months to one year, ETV has excellent outcomes and lesser complications for obstructive type of hydrocephalus.